OT: WTF? I'm still at work

Just random Monday morning babbling.  Had a great dream last night.  I was working at my own little general store at a lake.  Kinda like that store shown in the movie, "Grumpy Old Men."  Then I woke up and had to get to my real job.  Sigh....  Ya, ya, I know I should be grateful. Just wondering what some of you guys would do if you "retired?"  What's keeping you from doing it?  My case, it's the proverbial corporate "golden handcuffs."  Medical benefits are too good.  With my wife and I at the age where you have to start replacing body parts, it's tough to think about getting your own insurance. Bobby

I work in a hazardous duty job and will theoretically be able to retire at 46 with 50% of my top 3 years and full medical.  Like I said, in theory it sounds good.  6 down.  14 to go.   Scott

Hey Bobby,   Hey, I've had that same dream but mine took on a little different twist, I dreamed that Ann Margaret and Sophia Loren were both in the sack with me feeding me chocolate dipped strawberries and spaghetti, it was a great dream.  While Sophia fed me, Ann was drawing.  They were naked of course, I was fully clothed, I have my modesty you know...

hey Bobby,

well, here in los angeles my insurance is over $500 a month. i need it hence working my ass off just to pay for that alone. we thought about retirement but where would we go where the weather is as good? nowhere we decided. oh yeah, there's places but the houses are just as expensive as ours. we live right near the ocean and so we're spoiled. we don't want to move inland. so i guess she's going to retire in the next few years and i'll keep plugging along. we decided we'll just travel to cool places and keep our house here when it's time to retire.

since i'm a contractor i guess i could set up shop again anywhere since my speciality is in high demand but i really don't want to go through all that again. it's hard enough building a business and i don't want to do it again. so it's LA for us and as you mentioned, i need that insurance so i'm staying where the pay is good....carbonblob

I was going to retire in two years but after the company gave me a big raise, more respect and a sweet relocation package I'll give 'em an extra two or so. My retirement package will be pretty nice when I do take it so I want to go motorcycle touring around the country for a while and maybe spend a winter at my favorite ski resort. After that I was thinking of turning my 20 acres of overgrown pastureland into a primo wild life habitat. I have a storage shed there that everyone  is already calling my "huntin shack."  Hve a great one Rich

My wife and I have a dream of retiring early and moving down to Baja. Our needs are simple, and we enjoy the slower pace and friendly people down there.  We had our $ man run the numbers, factoring in inflation and what-not.  After reviewing the amount that we would be living on, we decided that our early retirement is not going to be as "early" as we would like.....   probably 10 - 14 years out.  Also, my mother is getting up in age now.... and were not going to leave her to fend for herself in her later years. Well.... luckily we can go visit Baja often, as we are relatively close.

If I was to retire, hmm. My hobby is motorcycles and apparently being a mechanic.  I love working on my bike, and really love old cars too.  I think that if I could make the money I do now with my IT engineering, I would become a welder or a machine worker.  I just couldnt pay the mortgage with a lower salary. So if anyone in Jersey wants someone to work with them that can pay well, I will quit tomorrow....

Bobby, I did retire 3 1/2 years ago. I had 30 years working for Verizon and they offered an early buy-out. I couldn't resist, I had been out on disability for the last year on the job due to real bad knees. I did collect full pay for that year.  Verizon was looking to really get rid of a lot of people and with my bad knees it was a perfect time to go. They gave me agreat buy-out with many perks and free medical and free dental. Who could pass that up. My wife still works so I became the stayn at home dad. I learned to cook and make all the diners. I also started collecting social security disability.  I liked my job but I don't miss it and I always seem to find something to do to keep me busy. Dan   

I guess my desire to teach is what's keeping me from completely retiring. It would be a humble life but, if I had to, I could. I have, what I affectionately call, a "Bull**** Emeritus" job...  I get paid for telling poeple what I did, not for what I do. I'm a Civil Service Training Instructor (GS-9) and a retired Master Sergent with 80% service connected disability. It's not bad cash for doing nothing.  My wife and I have a portrait business from the home that could supplement the income.  Of course, if I stayed home, my wife would get a job just to be away from me. Jeff